Kaepernick has met and "talked briefly" with both of his ring-winning predecessors, noting: "They did great things here."

Kaepernick and Young, now an ESPN analyst, sat down for an interview Wednesday, and Kaepernick said Young offered him a simple message: "Just keep going."

The 49ers will vie for their sixth Super Bowl title Feb. 3 when they face the Baltimore Ravens in New Orleans. Kaepernick was the 49ers' only player who suited up but did not play in the 2011 Thanksgiving Night game, when the 49ers fell 16-6 at Baltimore.

Kaepernick described the Ravens as having a very physical, experienced defense, including linebacker Ray Lewis, whom he described as "an icon on how a linebacker is supposed to be."

Kaepernick is 7-2 since replacing Alex Smith as the 49ers' starting quarterback. In playoff victories over the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons, he's posted a combined 105.9 passer rating by completing 33 of 52 passes for 496 yards with three touchdown passes and one interception.